Gadkari Sues Meta X Google Over Deepfake Scandal: Defamation Lawsuit Filed

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The Bombay High Court has granted Nitin Gadkari permission to initiate civil defamation proceedings against Meta, X Corp, Google, and unnamed entities over AI-generated content linking him to E20 ethanol policy controversies.

Court’s Decision and Legal Proceedings

The court’s ruling on 27 July enables formal legal action through the original side of the judiciary. The petition was submitted under Clause XII of the Letters Patent, citing jurisdictional grounds related to content accessibility within Mumbai.

Petition and Jurisdiction

Legal representatives for Gadkari, including Advocate Sandeep S. Ladda, argued the court’s authority over cases involving defamatory material disseminated to local audiences. Unidentified content creators are being addressed as “Ashok Kumars/John Does” in legal filings, while the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Department of Telecommunications are listed as respondents.

Allegations and Denials

The dispute centers on social media posts and video content alleging financial gains by Gadkari and his family from the E20 ethanol-blending initiative. The minister has categorically denied these claims, labeling them as false and designed to undermine his public reputation.

E20 Ethanol Policy and Controversies

The key argument in the petition highlights administrative jurisdictional discrepancies, noting the E20 program falls under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas rather than the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. This distinction forms the basis for Gadkari’s assertion that the allegations lack factual foundation.

Policy Background and Criticisms

The E20 ethanol policy, requiring 20% ethanol blending in petrol to reduce oil imports and emissions, has faced persistent criticism since its nationwide implementation. Concerns from vehicle owners and service providers include decreased fuel efficiency and engine damage risks in older models.

Supreme Court and Public Skepticism

The Supreme Court’s refusal to entertain a Public Interest Litigation challenging the policy without an ethanol-free alternative option effectively upheld government authority but failed to resolve public skepticism. This environment of doubt created opportunities for misinformation to spread rapidly.

Legal Implications and Precedents

The accessibility of deepfake technology exacerbated the situation by enabling malicious actors to attach Gadkari’s likeness and voice to fabricated narratives, surpassing the credibility of text-based disinformation. Legal analysts emphasize the broader implications of this case for digital platform accountability in India.

Platform Accountability and IT Act

The suit challenges the extent to which companies like Meta, X, and Google can be held civilly responsible for AI-generated defamatory content. While India’s Information Technology Act provides intermediary protections, these safeguards require platforms to act on notice of unlawful material.

Previous Judicial Interventions

Previous court orders directing Meta and Telegram to remove deepfake content featuring the National Stock Exchange’s CEO indicate judicial willingness to intervene in AI-generated misinformation cases. The upcoming hearing could establish critical legal precedents regarding content moderation practices and the balance between free expression and defamation prevention.

The minister has previously characterized the online campaign as a “paid operation” and referenced prior Supreme Court dismissals of challenges to the E20 policy.